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"Fastlane" is an entrepreneur discussion forum based on The Unscripted Entrepreneurial Framework (TUNEF) outlined in the two best-selling books by MJ DeMarco (The Millionaire Fastlane and UNSCRIPTED™). From multimillionaires to digital nomads, the forum features real entrepreneurs creating real businesses.

I’ve recently uncovered a typically “ignored” problem in our culture through speaking with her and have been really researching an industry and working through a strong message to potential customers and I really have a vision towards what could be a very impactful company.

There is a mental barrier I’m warring with though and I would like some feedback on where others stand.

I’ve got ZERO experience in this industry and it’s basically a product for younger girls, around the 10-17 year range.

Is starting a company where I am not nor have ever been a customer or recipient of put me at an automatic or nearly insurmountable disadvantage?
I think the obvious remedy in my mind is to tell our own story and also use perhaps a female spokesperson rather than be the one who’s more publicly recognized with the brand.

Is starting a company where I am not nor have ever been a customer or recipient of put me at an automatic or nearly insurmountable disadvantage?

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Dude what if I told you that the people who run big tobacco companies don't smoke? Or that the people who give out payday loans never get payday loans? Or that the founder of Taco Bell (possibly) never ate an actual taco and he definitely wasn't Mexican. I highly doubt Christian Louboutin wears high heels either.

As long as people want to pay for your service then this is no big deal at all!!

I’ve recently uncovered a typically “ignored” problem in our culture through speaking with her and have been really researching an industry and working through a strong message to potential customers and I really have a vision towards what could be a very impactful company.

There is a mental barrier I’m warring with though and I would like some feedback on where others stand.

I’ve got ZERO experience in this industry and it’s basically a product for younger girls, around the 10-17 year range.

Is starting a company where I am not nor have ever been a customer or recipient of put me at an automatic or nearly insurmountable disadvantage?
I think the obvious remedy in my mind is to tell our own story and also use perhaps a female spokesperson rather than be the one who’s more publicly recognized with the brand.

Click to expand...

I agree with @JohnnyAppleseed . So long as you're bringing value to the market it shouldn't matter. I have a teenage daughter too and while I haven't walked a mile in her shoes it's not hard to see things from her point of view. If you have a compelling message and good product or service go for it.

You may make mistakes or need to tweak or adjust course a little but in the end your lack of experience shouldn't hold you back. It may even be a blessing. You may offer a fresh perspective to the problem.

Young kids in general don't have real responsibilities yet so they have more disposable income proportionally than adults to spend on whatever they want. In addition young girls tend to have a pack mentality when buying which means if one girl has it, chances are all her friends will want one to. Trust me, I bought some weird stuff when I was 14 just because my friends had it

starting a company where I am not nor have ever been a customer or recipient of put me at an automatic or nearly insurmountable disadvantage?
I think the obvious remedy in my mind is to tell our own story and also use perhaps a female spokesperson rather than be the one who’s more publicly recognized with the brand.

Click to expand...

Chip Wilson of Lululemon and James Lillis of Black Milk Clothing disagree with you.

Follow me on my journey : Progress ThreadIf you can create a product that is better than your rivals' but you don't, due to self-doubts/laziness, and let your target market use your rivals' inferior products, that IS a very SELFISH CRIME and you need to be jailed.

I think of ideas ALLLLLL the time and this particular model is something that I felt an instant connection to for the simple reason that it challenges the status quo and the business stands for something that makes a positive impact in the world.

It’s something that I would stand behind and be proud of even if it didn’t make much of any money. That in itself is why I think I should pursue this opportunity.

Thanks for the backup and perspective once again. I’m going to start this thing up and work it the hardest I can.

As I make progress I’ll create a new thread so it will hopefully give assistance to others in learning from my good or bad decisions.

Is starting a company where I am not nor have ever been a customer or recipient of put me at an automatic or nearly insurmountable disadvantage?
I think the obvious remedy in my mind is to tell our own story and also use perhaps a female spokesperson rather than be the one who’s more publicly recognized with the brand.

Click to expand...

If you don't identify with the customers, you need to find someone who does. You'll never come across as authentic if you're the voice.

Insurmountable? not at all.

In my last business I sold hippie-a$$ products that I thought were dumb and useless. Amazon sales did amazingly well, because it's Amazon, and relatively impersonal. However, my website sales always struggled, as I really didn't believe in the product, and all my copy, etc. was just bland and uninspiring.

If you don't identify with the customers, you need to find someone who does. You'll never come across as authentic if you're the voice.

Insurmountable? not at all.

In my last business I sold hippie-a$$ products that I thought were dumb and useless. Amazon sales did amazingly well, because it's Amazon, and relatively impersonal. However, my website sales always struggled, as I really didn't believe in the product, and all my copy, etc. was just bland and uninspiring.

Click to expand...

Thanks man. I certainly intend to find someone who would be a better “spokesperson” type personality to drive enthusiasm in ways I probably wouldn’t be as effective.

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